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stc3248's 2014 small wild grow

Well...after much debate between mama and I, WE (she) have come to the conclusion that I may have grown a few too many plants the past few seasons??? :whistle:  :crazy:
 
2012 I grew out about 70 plants not including the huge number of ornamental peppers which about doubled that number. I didn't regularly harvest the ornamental plants so I ain't counting those...and in spite of some virus issues I was able to put together an epic season. So epic in fact that I had to purchase a chest freezer to store all the excess pods for future processing. 
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Here is one 2012 pull...I had numbers like this EVERY weekend! My season started (too) early and lasted until Christmas that year. I finally finished processing them just before I started pulling pods from my 2013 plants...
 
2013 was a "smaller" grow and in spite of my best efforts to keep the target of 20 keepers I promised the wife...I still ended up with over 50 plants. The "problem" in 2013 was...I really had no problems. My plants stayed healthy which meant...even more and bigger pulls...
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A 2013 pull...
 
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and another...
 
The hits once again kept on coming. Every weekend...thousands of pods. Which is a great freaking problem to have, but not according to mama. :stop:
 
So this year is gonna be a real deal small grow. I have talked her into letting me grow out 5 plants all of which are awesome wilds that I am super excited about. All 5 varieties are from John (Pr0digal_son) I have so many cool varieties left in the seed bank, but they'll have to wait until I have more time to dedicate to my garden and family. 
 
For the past two years I have been a "geobachelor" which is a military term for folks that are stationed away from their families. I am only home on weekends...so dedicating so much of my few days home for the past two years to my grow has really been kinda selfish. 
 
All that being said, I am still a grow addict...so I have talked her into allowing a few more "must have" varieties. So to my 5 wilds I will be adding a couple staple varieties...oh and wait, I am overwintering 7 plants...well really 11 but 4 are just ornamentals for Bonchi plants. :rofl:
 
One overwinter is my growdown winner Birgit's Locoto...
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Official measurement for the contest was just over 11' tall. Seeds started on Valentines Day and final measurement on Halloween...fun contest. Haven't seen a growdown posted for this season??? Keep your eyes peeled folks, tons of fun!!!
 
Here is the list for 2014...
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Well not really a list as much as a photo...started 4 seeds each.
 
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Soaked overnight...
 
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Into peat pellets...
 
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and set in the magic temp zone on the heat mat...
 
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I verify temps using a meat thermometer and will monitor until It stays in the right temp area. 
 
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Temps slowly climbing for now...and there won't be much to report on for a while. These varieties are notorious for slow germination.
 
C. Tovarii 0/4
C. Exile Chacoense 0/4
C. Eximium 0/4
C. Galapagoense 0/4
Huge Rocopica 0/4
 
To those awesome varieties add the overwinters:
Birgits Locoto (3)
Romy Mystery Plant (2)
Pequin (1)
Goat's Weed (1)
Manzano (2) (still alive, but not attempting to overwinter...not gonna kill them on purpose though!!!)
 
I will also be sarting some Jals (Mucho Nacho) and Numex Big Jim's a bit later.
 
Here are links to my past two season's glogs...in case you're bored and have about a week to try to get through them both.
2012: http://thehotpepper.com/topic/27268-stc3248-just-another-grow-log-holiday-harvest/?hl=%20stc3248%20%202012
2013: http://thehotpepper.com/topic/36599-stc3248-2013-grow-log-seasons-greetings-and-seasons-end/
 
It for now folks...welcome to 2014!!! I will update when I can and show my growroom and the progress of the rest of the overwinter plants...Thanks for looking in, there are a ton of glogs this year! 
 
Hi Chief, glad to see you're still doing a glog for 2014! You've got so much pepper love backlogged you shouldn't have to grow a lot of chiles this year anyway. I scored some Galapagonese seeds myself, so I'll be watching your grow this year with some interest. Cheers!
 
Ha, you put a perma smile on my face when you mentioned growing so much that you had to buy a chest freezer for them....lmao I can't stop giggling thinking about it! Well, I look forward to seeing your small tiny grow....I'd bet my hard earned dollars it ain't over yet....
 
jedisushi06 said:
Good luck this season!  i will be following.
Thanks Jedi!
 
 
Spicegeist said:
 
I hear ya on the too many peppers to use situation.  I've also limited my grow this year. 
 
Are these Fataliis on the left in this pic?
Hey SG....good to see ya brother! Yup, Fatalii's...some pulled a tad early but I had two big orders for Fatalii powder that I had to fill...so I cleaned her off. I got a couple more pulls that size off that plant. Seeds for that one from Andy (Pulpiteer).
 
 
stickman said:
Hi Chief, glad to see you're still doing a glog for 2014! You've got so much pepper love backlogged you shouldn't have to grow a lot of chiles this year anyway. I scored some Galapagonese seeds myself, so I'll be watching your grow this year with some interest. Cheers!
Yeah...it'll probably be a far cry from the last two glogathon episodes, but something to come on and share a bit of what I got going on. 
 
 
Devv said:
Good deal Shane!
 
I knew you just had to grow something.
 
Good luck this season!
Beam me up Scotty!!! 3 yrs to retirement and hopefully back to the promised land...and some REALLY epic grows. I've had pop setting up his cattle feeding stations in a couple prime bottom land locations for several years. Every time he dredges out the ponds that soil goes on there too. Should have room for 15-20 thousand plants...but I (she) will probably limit myself to a couple thousand. I would like to land some large contract grows from some of the big wigs...we'll see. Large greenhouse...ahhh. Dreaming big...
 
 
Nigel said:
I might be able to send you a few more wilds, Shane....... :scared:
 
Surely wilds don`t really count?
Yup...they count Nigel. I have dozens more wild varieties that I am itching to start, but no go. We do need to compare seed stock though being so close, I am certain we could round each other's collections out nicely.
 
 
Nick08* said:
Wow! An impressive haul!!  :clap:
 
That 11 footer is a BEAST!
Thanks Nick! She is no longer 11'...closer to 13. I have her wrapped in some old sheer drapes and under the drapes...
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Two strands of Christmas lights hooked to a Thermocube receptacle which comes on when temp drops to 35 degrees and shuts back once it is back above 45. Comes on pretty much every night...but she's still growing, blooming and setting pods!!!
 
 
3/5King said:
Ha, you put a perma smile on my face when you mentioned growing so much that you had to buy a chest freezer for them....lmao I can't stop giggling thinking about it! Well, I look forward to seeing your small tiny grow....I'd bet my hard earned dollars it ain't over yet....
Yeah...I have a few covert ops planned. I MAY start another 10-20 plants up at the office to care for during the week. I am trying to get approval for a community garden on base in which case I could probably start MANY more. :shh:  Long shot on the garden with much of the base being a nature preserve, but I do have permission to have some containers at the barracks. Since I start some tomatoes and peppers for the base Commanding Officer's wife each year...I got a pretty good in...
 
We shall see, but come June my wife and I will have been either Married 20 years or newly divorced...I am trying to keep my priorities straight. Reminds me of that country song by Brad Paisley...just substitute Garden or planting for fishing or lake shore...
http://youtu.be/WwRrKaq0IyY
 
Welcome back bro!! Albeit in a reduced capacity ... At least you got two years before you had to cull ... I only got the one big season in before I was told to "cut back" (read "you selfish "expletive" where has my whole balcony gone" :D ) best of luck with the what is it 30? ;) plants :ROFL: ohhh what a terrible (great) addiction we all have
 
Wow that was some nice pulls that you had, If I was still married my wife would kill me for growing and spending that much time with the plants and not the family, but it doesn't take much to find your self overwhemed by ones hobbie or garden grow, last year I was way over my head trying to keep my garden and 30 or more hot peppers going despite having two major surgeries and then trying to recover my health to where I could actually pull a few weeds and pick pepper pods and try and keep the pest from eating my other plants up,  as it turned out at the end of the season my peppers were about the only plants left. 
I love your wild peppers you have for this year, I have judy's mystery wild, a C.eximium, two different praetermissum, a galapagoense, a C. chacoense, 3 different chiltepins and some hybrid Rocoto seeds that were given to me I usually don't grow them as Missouri's weather doesn't suit them to well,  and I end up with just a handful of ripe peppers from them, but I wanted to see just how big the pods will get with this one and maybe I will over winter it. I was hoping to get a few more wilds, but I have to buy some more lights and rebuild my raised beds so I won't have the money to get them , but hopefully I will be able to get them for 2015. 
On top of everything I have about 50 super hots that I have to pick about 15 to twenty plants out of them and do one breeding project or try to do anyway.
Well I sure hope that you have a great 2014 season and will be dropping by to see how your grow is going.
George
 
romy6 said:
Nice start bro. I am sure you will find a way to get your 50 pal pants regardless to what momma says
Jamie by Florida brotha!!! Welcome to my humble little grow! I think I might be kinda serious about the number this time! Trust me!!! :liar;)
 
 
Trippa said:
Welcome back bro!! Albeit in a reduced capacity ... At least you got two years before you had to cull ... I only got the one big season in before I was told to "cut back" (read "you selfish "expletive" where has my whole balcony gone" :D ) best of luck with the what is it 30? ;) plants :rofl: ohhh what a terrible (great) addiction we all have
Trippa, never really left...just ain't on often, and when I am it ain't for long. Real life just gets to be a lot sometime you know??? I really only got one year...then I was sneaky up until plant out before mama figured it out last year. This year she's already watching like a hawk! 
 
Her: "Why are you starting 4 of each? You know you can only keep one each!!!" 
Me: "They won't all come up...and I will give away any extras."
Her: "Yes they will...they ALL always come up, and then you keep the extras!"
Me: "I gave away dozens of plants last year. They won't all come up, these are some tough varieties to get going!"
Her: "You'll find a way to get them all to come up...you always do, then you'll find a way to sneak them outside when I am not looking!"
Me: "......................... :rolleyes: "
Her: "I mean it baby! Only those 5!!!!"
Me: "  :rofl: "
 
 
wildseed57 said:
Wow that was some nice pulls that you had, If I was still married my wife would kill me for growing and spending that much time with the plants and not the family, but it doesn't take much to find your self overwhemed by ones hobbie or garden grow, last year I was way over my head trying to keep my garden and 30 or more hot peppers going despite having two major surgeries and then trying to recover my health to where I could actually pull a few weeds and pick pepper pods and try and keep the pest from eating my other plants up,  as it turned out at the end of the season my peppers were about the only plants left. 
I love your wild peppers you have for this year, I have judy's mystery wild, a C.eximium, two different praetermissum, a galapagoense, a C. chacoense, 3 different chiltepins and some hybrid Rocoto seeds that were given to me I usually don't grow them as Missouri's weather doesn't suit them to well,  and I end up with just a handful of ripe peppers from them, but I wanted to see just how big the pods will get with this one and maybe I will over winter it. I was hoping to get a few more wilds, but I have to buy some more lights and rebuild my raised beds so I won't have the money to get them , but hopefully I will be able to get them for 2015. 
On top of everything I have about 50 super hots that I have to pick about 15 to twenty plants out of them and do one breeding project or try to do anyway.
Well I sure hope that you have a great 2014 season and will be dropping by to see how your grow is going.
George
Hey George! Hope this year is easier on you! You got some great varieties for sure! Culling is always tough...especially when you pour so much into them. I tried selling off a few last season, but folks were acting like I was ripping them off. The plants were 2' tall, lush and green and they rolled their eyes at the $10 price tag...after just a couple, I just gave the rest away to folks that would actually appreciate them.
 
 
Jeff H said:
Hoot !!! Shane is in the house. Good to see you with a glog this year, even if it is a smaller one. Good luck.
Jeff!!! How you doing brotha? No cool hydro like you, but I think I may step out of my containers and back into the dirt for the few I do grow...which will be a nice shift.
 
 
RedtailForester said:
This sounds spectacular brohamulus!!! I'll be watching this with great interest buddy.
Whatup RTF??? Glad to have you along for the ride!!!
 
 
 
I forgot to mention earlier...I feel really guilty not starting more of the awesome seeds that I have been lucky enough to receive from all you cool folks. I know I am guilty of checking through all of y'all's grow lists to see if any of my seeds made your cut. I always get really excited when I see some of my seeds listed, just wasn't in the cards this year. I had vowed a few years ago to do a pure wild season, and I only got to plant maybe 10% of my wild varieties. So many more...and there will come a day!!!
 
I mentioned the Bonchi stuff earlier here are a couple of the prospects...
 
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A before and after of some Explosive Embers...This one will be potted down closer to spring. I may grow the larger one out another season after some trimming to let it get a bigger trunk???
 
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Same deal with these two Numex Centennials...I already potted the one down and it is actually still budding blooming and setting a few. These were all aphid infested when I looked at them today, so they got a bath. More to follow...
 
Thanks again for all the great Glog opening remarks! THP is such a great place!
 
Nice choices Shane, going to be following ya brother. I haven't grown wilds before till this year, Wild Brazils. Looking forward to it.
 
RocketMan said:
Nice choices Shane, going to be following ya brother. I haven't grown wilds before till this year, Wild Brazils. Looking forward to it.
Thanks Bill!!! Standby for tasking...got some Seal Team buddies that may call for fire from AfghanIraqIstanAmalia...waiting on an FPO addy. Best of luck on your wild side...they can be tricky to get going, but once up and running they're some of the most forgiving plants out there. Heck they usually just sprout wherever the birds shat them out right???
 
 
JJJessee said:
Shane goes wild!
 
Grow, but grow responsibly. That's the ticket. 
 
I'll be watchin'
 
Best wishes on 2014!
Whatup Tripple J??? Responsibility is not my strong suit...speaking of.
 
So, I was out and about this morning looking for signs of life around the yard and planning my in-ground plots...
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Found this Charapita still hanging in there...barely. So I cut her back and watered her (+1 to list of overwinters). Pulled a couple weeds out of the container and that's when...
 
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I found this suspicious looking little sprout...Hmmm (+2) here we go again...but wait there's more...
 
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Here's the Ole Manzano that's hanging in there too...loaded with pods.
 
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Some even ripening up!!! That wasn't the surprise though...as I was planning to cut her back and move her to a more frost free spot...
 
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I spotted this little guy...looks suspicously like a little Manzano plant to me!!! (Hmmm + 3 or is that 4???)
 
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Here's a blurry overexposed shot of the two Romy Mystery plants and little Goat's Weed loaded down and ready for picking all three...
 
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A peak under the canopy of the Birgits loaded down with pods...and the same story for the 10 feet above this.
 
The rest of my morning will be spent saucing up one of my fermented super batches...
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Adding some onion and sweet peppers to the mix...
 
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Finally some smoke...Apple and Hickory in there. Will smoke the onions and sweet peppers at low temp for 3 or 4 hours then add them to the ferments before final cook down...
 
Thanks for looking in folks! 
Shane
 
JJJessee said:
I'd say Manzano is a good guess.
That ferment is gonna be tasty. I didn't know you could smoke and then ferment.
You can...but you'd need to add an active starter of some sort because the smoking would sterilize the pods. In this case though...the mix of supers have been fermenting for a couple months and I will just be adding these smoked sweet pods and onion to them during the cook down for a little smokey flavor. For fermenting smoked pods I put a couple scoops from one of my active ferments in with it to get it started.
 
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